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It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon here in Richmond. Sunny, not a cloud in sight and almost 70F – What a treat in early February! So, what kind of tea with which to celebrate this meteorological excellence? A happy cup of Golden Snail Yunnan seemed befitting to honor the day.
Oh my! What a delicious cup! The dry leaf itself is golden and gorgeous with a seducing aroma of chocolate. So chocolatey that I could easily imagine that cocoa had been sprinkled upon the leaf. Golden Snail has the strongest note of chocolate flavor of any non-flavored black tea that this unrepentant chocoholic has ever tasted! Along with chocolate, there are incredible notes of sweet maple syrup and malt. A hint of brown sugar, butter and a pleasant wisp of oak bring this cup to Yunnan tea perfection!
Whispering Pines, you’ve done it yet again – This Golden Snail is the perfect example of what makes Yunnans so great. Thank you!
Now, time for another cup of this lovely brew with which to enjoy this lovely, springlike Sunday in Old Virginia.

I received this tea as a free sample along with the Ailaoshan tea that I purchased from Whispering Pines and I actually like it better! The chocolate flavor is considerably more pronounced – deeper. Toasted rye, apricot and white pepper flavor notes as listed by WP were all present and accounted for. I also picked up on caramel and a pleasantly sweet carrot taste.
This is a cup that you just don’t want to ever end! North Winds is the newest must have in my tea pantry.

I received this tea as a free sample along with the Ailaoshan tea that I purchased from Whispering Pines and I actually like it better! The chocolate flavor is considerably more pronounced – deeper. Toasted rye, apricot and white pepper flavor notes as listed by WP were all present and accounted for. I also picked up on caramel and a pleasantly sweet carrot taste.
This is a cup that you just don’t want to ever end! North Winds is the newest must have in my tea pantry!

Very interesting. I can honestly say that I have never tasted a tea anything like this one. Very unique character. I just didn’t get very much in the way of chocolate notes. It’s there, but very subtle. What surprised me most were the floral, almost rose notes – Almost Darjeeling-like, but not a trace of astringency. The anise/ licorice notes surprised me too. Adding to the eclectic mix were pronounced notes of wood, plum, and an orange cream flavor.
Although this tea is absolutely nothing like I had anticipated (The chocolate notes being ever so subtle) I thoroughly enjoyed every sip. The pleasantly complex uniqueness of the flavor should definitely be experienced. Very nice indeed.

This Yunnan is a rich, full bodied tea with cocoa, honey, sweet potato and raisin sweetness. The chocolate jumps right out at you. You don’t have to search for it. This tea is a prime example of why I love Chinese teas so much. Bamboo Temple is the perfect autumn cup and would do justice to a fine Thanksgiving Day dinner served with or after dessert.

Do yourself a favor and worship at The Temple. You’ll be thankful you did!

This is a luscious and luxurious cup of tea with pleasantly pronounced chocolate and juicy apricot flavors. No bitterness or astringency whatsoever – Smooth as silk to the last sip. Golden Monkey is a tea that is to be savored – The perfect tea for a long, lazy Sunday. I will always have some in my pantry.

In the familiar old desert island scenario, Margaret’s Hope Estate Second Flush Darjeeling would, without a doubt, be my one tea of choice. To take it further, I believe that tea lovers who have lived a good life, upon arrival in heaven, are handed a cup of this ethereal elixir by St. Peter at the pearly gates. This Darjeeling is most exquisitely luscious – Hauntingly floral with a pronounced sweet muscatel flavor. Honey, fruit and nut flavors add to the pleasant and soft complexity with a mild astringency at the end that I find quite enjoyable. This is my perfect tea.